The non-conference portion of the 2025 schedule comes to a close this weekend, when fourth-ranked Illinois State (2-1) welcomes in North Alabama (1-2) to Hancock Stadium.

UNA is off to a 1-2 start to the year, as the Lions picked up their first win of the season last week against Northeastern State 49-21 at home. North Alabama has been hard to stop on the ground, as the Lions average 244.7 yards per game rushing and have scored six of their nine touchdowns on the season via the ground.

The Redbirds (2-1) need two touchdowns in the final six minutes to defeat the Eastern Illinois (1-2) on last week at O'Brien Field in Charleston. Luke Mailander finished with a career-high 109 yards and a score on five receptions.

Tye Niekamp recorded a career-high 14 tackles in the win over the Panthers and was credited with two tackles-for-loss to lead the way for the Redbird defense. Three touchdowns for Wenkers Wright were a career-high and the senior finished with 94 yards on 14 carries against EIU.

Game time is noon Saturday.